30 hours in LA.

A good friend and I had a wedding planning weekend from (far too) early Saturday to late Sunday night (technically Monday). Now on my way to work Monday morning, I feel a little spacey- I must have left my brain somewhere at the Starbucks on our pit stop on the way home. But I am refreshed, encouraged and excited...as happy as a clam. 

But wait, what does that mean?? 

Some say "it looks like they're smiling so they seem happy" but that reason doesn't quite fit with the full expression: "as happy as a clam at high tide." 

What happens at high tide? Wrong question.

More importantly (for a clam), what doesn't happen at high tide?

Predators.

If I had no arms or legs and were glued to a rock, I think I would appreciate this phrase more. The high waters would indeed be the happiest of times.

This phrase popped in my mind because of how refreshed I feel, and I thought a Monday "happy clam" train sketch was appropriate. Perhaps my absent mind is more evident in a drawing like this: 

For a philosophy major + art major, 2 six-hour drives on a SF to LA road trip are not near enough to catch up. But I am so grateful for conversations, and reflecting back now, I see this verse below. She was tenderhearted in listening and her words were kind, gracious, and encouraging. 

Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

The trip at first sounded like a busy weekend so I hesitated since it was right after another out-of-town weekend, but mainly because I'm not very spontaneous...actually much closer to the opposite extreme, I plan minute-by-minute. BUT in full-time work life  how often do you get to do a road trip and talk for hours with a close friend? It was the perfect timing for encouragement and was extra productive for wedding planning. Our friendship is a gift from God, who gives us what we need at the perfect time (like a last-minute 30 hour trip to LA).  So all that to say—

Happy Monday from a very happy [sleepy] clam!